In 2026, the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) changed a major component of the CMA Exam to become a Certified Management Accountant (CMA). Before the change, the CMA Exam consisted of a combination of multiple-choice questions and essays; post-transition, the essays were completely replaced with a new question format: case-based questions (CBQs). 

Read up on everything you need to know about requirements for CMA before you start.

Becoming a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) is an excellent way to advance your career in managerial accounting. But if you’re still learning about the exam, study strategies, and the best way to prepare, investing in a full-blown CMA Exam Review course may seem overwhelming. Get started wtih these top free CMA study materials and ease your way into CMA success! 

If you’re an accounting professional, or soon to become one, you may be exploring the many certifications, degrees, and programs to expand your job prospects and enhance your education. Although there are many credentials you can earn to advance in accounting, two often pursued are the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification and the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. But this raises the question: between CMA vs. MBA, which is better? 

CMA holders leverage their expertise in strategic planning to add value to any business, and are consistently in demand in corporate finance and accounting leadership roles. Most CMA holders earn the credential well after their four-year degree, but can you become a CMA in college? And are there benefits to beginning your CMA Exam prep before you graduate? Find out. 

If you’re wondering how to pass the CMA Exam, you know that complex content and a strict testing environment can be intimidating. But Becker is here to support! One of our distinguished instructors, Michael Brown, CMA, CGMA, CPA, shared his best tips and tricks for how to pass the CMA Exam. We’ve compiled Mike’s advice to help CMA candidates study to the best of their abilities. 

Certified Management Accountants are valuable to any business for their expertise in analytics and strategic financial planning. Passing the CMA Exam leads to professional and personal growth, opening opportunities for your career both at your current job and for future employment. 

If you're considering becoming a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), one of the first things you want to know is the CMA certification cost. There isn't a flat fee or simple response, so to help you plan the expenses, we're breaking down what you need to know, including the CMA Exam cost, ongoing fees, and even exam prep materials. Plus, we'll also provide insights into how you can minimize the price tag and share advice on whether CMA certification is truly worth it.

The CMA Exam is challenging, but when you dedicate the time and rely on the right exam prep materials, you should be able to pass the first time. In fact, Becker guarantees it with our CMA Pass Guarantee. Learn more about what's on the exam, how Becker is with you every step of the way.

If you are considering sitting for the CMA Exam, you want to answer one very important question: is the CMA Exam hard? We’ll break down exam pass rates, challenging sections, study tips, and more to help you find an answer. And remember that Becker is here to make the process less intimidating and help drive your CMA success.